Middlesbrough could win a bonus if Villa gain promotion with the help of Rhodes, who was brought on for two minutes against Watford on Sunday.

Rhodes, who was known for his superb goalscoring form in the second tier of English football with the likes of Boro, Huddersfield and Blackburn, has fallen behind Alvaro Negredo and Christian Stuani in the attacking pecking order at the Riverside.

Villa fans believe new manager Bruce should not be looking for another striker in January, with the like of Jonathan Kodjia, Rudy Gestede, Jordan Ayew and Ross McCormack already in the squad.